Antonio Garrastazu

Tony Garrastazu has more than 20 years of international experience leading and managing diverse programs and teams in the realms of business, government and academe. Prior to being named Regional Director for LAC, Tony served as Director of the Center for Global Impact at IRI contributing to democratic development programing, leading global initiatives and cutting-edge approaches to emerging challenges and trends. From 2011-2018, he oversaw the Institute’s Central America, Haiti and Mexico programming, where he focused on anti-corruption, security, rule of law, open government, elections and local governance. Prior to joining IRI in 2011, Garrastazu served as Director of Business and Government Relations at Globalvia Infrastructures, where he was responsible for the implementation of public-private partnerships throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. He also served as Executive Director of the Spain-United States Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Washington Program Director at the Dante B. Fascell North South Center promoting U.S.-Latin American relations. From 2002-2007, Garrastazu was the Deputy Director for International Affairs at the Florida Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, where he organized 25 trade missions abroad and oversaw the state’s international initiatives and advocacy programs, while also serving as the Governor’s liaison to members of Florida’s Consular Corps. He also spent several months working on international development at the Paraguayan Foundation for Cooperation and Development. Garrastazu has published extensively, including his dissertation, Interest Groups and the Politics of Trade after the Cold War: The Case of the U.S.-Jordan, Singapore and Chile Free Trade Agreements. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from the University of Florida, as well as a Master’s and Ph.D. in International Studies from the University of Miami.